MLS Expansion: Atlanta Still Hopeful

If Arthur Blank has anything to say about it, he will get a MLS team in Atlanta at some point in the near future.

According to the Atlanta Business Journal, a deal is done for a new $1 billion Falcons stadium that could also house a soccer team when it opens in 2017. Plans are to build the retractable-roof stadium to accommodate a MLS team, as well as host major soccer events such as the FIFA World Cup.

Blank wants Atlanta to be a MLS city by the time his new stadium opens. Now if the stadium is similar to how BC Place is for the Vancouver Whitecaps, it could work.

Naturally a lot needs to be worked on before anything can happen here for Atlanta. But it is refreshing to hear that they aren’t pushing to be the 20th club in MLS at the moment. They know they are still years away from making this happen and that is largely due to the stadium.

Here is a closer look at what the Falcons and Blank are hoping to do with their new stadium.